Shelter me beneath your wing—
Like a mother give me rest;
Be your lap my silent refuge,
My vagrant prayers nest.

In the twilight—hour of mercy—
You my secret may divine:
I am told that youth is wondrous—
Where is mine?

One more secret I will tell you:
Why my sorrow and whereof;
I am told of love's existence—
What is love?

The stars of heaven have deceived me:
There was a dream—it too is gone;
Nothing, nothing now is left me
Beneath the sun.

Shelter me beneath your wing,
Like a mother give me rest;
Be your lap my silent refuge
My vagrant prayers nest.